Triple-Triple Burger provides spectacle at Jakes Wayback Burgers

Shes the only woman so far with enough bravado to try the Triple-Triple Burger  a gigantic cheeseburger stuffed with nine patties and a total of 2,000 calories.

Candy L. Brozzo of Watertown had plenty of reasons to be intimidated as she waited for the arrival of her burger at noon Monday outside Jakes Wayback Burgers at the Salmon Run Mall: A crowd of eager spectators encircled her, including reporters and photographers from a local cable news channel and the Watertown Daily Times. But the 33-year-old didnt look fazed when Joseph A. Biccum, the franchises co-owner, set the 6-inch mound of beef in front of her.

The $12.99 burger took about 10 minutes to grill. Mr. Biccum placed a thick pile of napkins by the platter, giving Mrs. Brozzo the green light to dig in. A timer was started as she peeled off the top bun and stuck her plastic fork into the first patty, taking her first bite.

This particular Triple-Triple challenge at Jakes was significant for several reasons. The eatery became the first Jakes in the country to offer the gigantic burger when it opened at the mall on Black Friday. The franchise gave the burger a three-week trial period to test its success and it passed with flying colors: more than 100 burgers were sold in the first three weeks at the eatery, which has now sold more than 200. As a result, on March 1 the burger will be introduced at the chains 662 restaurants nationwide.

I didnt think it was going to be this successful, said Mr. Biccum, who co-owns the eatery with his brother Mark. But weve had guys come in here and pound down these burgers, and it blew my socks off. Weve had five guys at a table eating these; some finish, some have to box them up.

When she woke up Monday morning, Mrs. Brozzo didnt know shed be in the media limelight eating the burger, which comes with a tomato slice, lettuce and nine slices of cheese. She was cleaning her house when friend Jessica Pitcher, a Jakes employee, unexpectedly called her. It was 11:20 a.m. and she had just stepped out of the shower. Luckily, she hadnt eaten breakfast.

She first asked if my brother wanted to do it, and I knew he wouldnt, so I agreed, Mrs. Brozzo said. She told me I had to be here at noon, so I hurried up and took my children to a baby sitter to get here in time.

After 12 minutes of nonstop eating, Mrs. Brozzo ordered a drink of water. She started to slow down.

So much for the diet I planned, she laughed, sticking her fork in again. I think I just found another patty.

She received encouragement to press on, though, from amused bystanders. Cody R. Cloud, a Fort Drum soldier, showed disbelief when he looked at the burger.

I give you mad props! said the 21-year-old from Austin, Texas. I dont even think I could do that. If she can finish it, that would give me motivation to try.

Sitting at an adjacent table at the food court, 57-year-old Henry R. LaClair of Clayton was clearly impressed with Mrs. Brozzos appetite. Hed ordered only a hamburger, fries and a drink.

Shes another Danica Patrick, he said, likening her to the NASCAR racing pioneer. Ive ordered the smallest burger they have and am almost full. But shes going to need a wheelchair to get out of here.

Time continued to pass. Twenty-three minutes into the challenge, Mrs. Brozzo made a sudden announcement: Im tapping out.

Looking at the mound of ground beef left over, she estimated about seven patties were consumed. She looked fatigued, ready for a nap.

At first its absolutely delicious, she said. But then it just starts tasting the same and dissolves in your mouth. Im upset that I couldnt eat it all.

Thanks to the early success at Jakes, the Biccums plan to start a second location in Evans Mills closer to Fort Drum. It would be in the plaza next to Walmart on Route 11 in a space recently vacated by Radio Shack. The deal is expected to be announced in the next month.

I think its going to be a huge success, Mr. Biccum said of the plan. We would get a lot of military people out there.

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